Mortgage Glossary A-Z

Mortgage Glossary

Here are some of the most popular phrases and terminology that you will come across when dealing with mortgages.

Agreement in principle (AIP)

A document from a mortgage lender confirming that you will be able to borrow a certain amount. You can use this to prove to a seller that you can afford to buy their property.

Annual Percentage Rate (APR)

The overall cost of a mortgage, including the interest and fees. It assumes you will have the mortgage for the whole term, so may not be a useful way to compare deals.

Arrangement fee

A set-up fee for your mortgage. Most mortgage lenders will allow you to add this fee to the loan, but this will mean you pay interest on it for the whole mortgage term.

Arrears

If you go into arrears it means you have ‘defaulted’ at least once on your mortgage repayments, i.e. you have missed a month’s payment. Contact your lender as soon as possible if you think you may go into arrears.

Base rate

A rate of interest set by the Bank of England which tracker mortgages and standard variable rate mortgages usually follow.

Booking fee

A type of mortgage set-up fee.

Broker

An adviser who can help you arrange a mortgage. Be aware that some brokers will get paid more commission for recommending certain deals than others; also, some of the best mortgage deals are only available if you apply directly.

Buildings insurance

Insurance which covers you for damage to the structure of your home. A lender will require you to have this in place when you take out a mortgage.

Buy-to-let

A buy-to-let property is bought with the sole intention of letting it to tenants. Most mortgage lenders offer special buy-to-let mortgage deals for this purpose.

Capital

The amount of money you borrow to buy a property.

Capped rate

If your mortgage deal has a capped rate, the interest rate charged by your lender will never exceed the upper ‘capped’ limit, regardless of increases to the Bank of England base rate.

Cashback mortgage

Your lender gives you a certain amount of cash on completion. You should factor this into the total cost of your mortgage over the initial period to decide whether it’s a good deal.

County Court Judgement (CCJ)

These are made against you for non-payment of debt, and could make it harder for you to get a mortgage.

Collar

If your mortgage deal has a collar, your interest rate will not fall any lower than the specified amount. So if rates drop to 3.75% and your deal is collared at 4%, you’ll miss out on the savings this lower rate will bring.

Conveyancing

The legal process you must go through when you buy or sell property. This can be done by a solicitor or licensed conveyancer.

Current account mortgage (CAM)

Your mortgage, loan and credit card debts and your current and savings account balances are combined into one account. Your credit balances offset your debts so you only pay interest on the difference. These are usually more expensive than conventional mortgages.

Deposit

This is the amount you are required to put down yourself towards the cost of the property. The minimum deposit you will usually need is 5%, but the cheapest deals are available to people who can pay a deposit of at least 40%.

Discounted-rate mortgage

A discounted-rate deal is one where the interest rate you are charged is a set amount less than your mortgage lender’s standard variable rate (SVR). For example, if the lender has an SVR of 5.5% and the discount is 1%, then you will pay 4.5%.

Early repayment charge (ERC)

Penalty fees you have to pay if you want to leave your mortgage during a specified period, usually the period of the initial deal.

Endowment mortgage

A form of interest-only mortgage where you also pay money into a type of investment called an endowment to pay off the mortgage at the end of the term.

Equity

The amount of the property that you own outright, i.e. your deposit plus the capital you’ve paid off on your mortgage.

Equity release scheme

An equity release scheme allows older homeowners to release the cash tied up in their property. There are two types: lifetime mortgages and home-reversion schemes. These schemes should only be taken out after getting independent financial advice.

Family offset mortgage

Used by family members (usually parents) who want to help first-time buyers get onto the property ladder. Your savings are balanced against your child (or family member)’s debt, so the amount they owe and pay in interest is reduced.

Fixed-rate mortgage

The mortgage interest rate stays the same for the initial period of the deal, which can be anything from one to 10 years. This means you can be sure of exactly what you will be paying on your mortgage each month, as your rate won’t go up – or down – with the Bank of England base rate.

Flexible mortgage

A flexible mortgage deal allows you to overpay, underpay or even take a payment holiday from your mortgage. This can help you pay your mortgage off early and save money on interest, but flexible mortgages are usually more expensive than conventional ones.

Freehold

You own the building and the land it stands on.

Guarantor

A third party who agrees to meet the monthly mortgage repayments if you are unable to. This is most common with first-time buyers, and the guarantor is usually their parent or guardian.

Help to Buy

The government has launched a number of different Help to Buy schemes, including equity loans, mortgage guarantees, ISAs and specific schemes for Scotland and Wales. They all aim to make home-buying easier.

Help To Buy ISA

A tax-free savings account, into which the government pays first-time buyers a cash bonus towards the purchase of a property. For every £200 saved, the government will deposit an additional £50, up to a maximum of £3,000.

Higher lending charge (HLC)

This is sometimes charged by your mortgage lender if you are borrowing more than 75% of the property’s value. It protects the lender against you defaulting on your mortgage.

Interest-only mortgage

You only pay the interest on your mortgage each month, without repaying any of the capital loan itself. The idea is that you build up enough money to be able to pay off the mortgage at the end of the term in other ways – for example through investing in stocks and shares, pension endowment or the sale of another property.

Intermediary

An adviser who can help you arrange a mortgage. Be aware that some intermediaries will get paid more commission for recommending certain deals than others; also, some of the most competitive mortgage deals are only available if you apply directly.

Joint mortgage

A mortgage taken out by two or more people. This might be used if you buy a house with a partner or friend, and can also be used by parents who want to help their children buy a property.

Land Registry

The official body responsible for maintaining details of property ownership.

Leasehold

You own the building but not the land it stands on, and only for a certain period (anything up to 999 years). You may find it hard to get a mortgage if there are fewer than 70 years left on the lease of the property you want to buy.

Loan-to-value (LTV)

The size of your mortgage as a percentage of the property’s value. The cheapest deals tend to be available to people who are borrowing 60% or less.

Monthly repayment

The amount you pay your mortgage lender each month. If you’re on a repayment mortgage (the most common kind), the payment will cover a percentage of your mortgage plus interest.

Mortgage deed

A formal contract between lender and borrower, outlining the legal obligations of the borrower and the rights the lender has if the borrower fails to make a repayment.

Mortgage payment protection insurance (MPPI)

Insurance that covers your mortgage, usually for a year, if you are unable to work due to accident, sickness or unemployment. It is also know as ASU insurance.

Mortgage term

The amount of time you are taking the mortgage out for; 25 years, for example.

Negative equity

When the value of your home falls to a level which is below the amount remaining on your mortgage.

Offset mortgage

An offset mortgage links your mortgage with your savings and, sometimes, your current account. Your credit balances are offset against your mortgage debt so you only pay interest on the difference, while also paying off the capital

Portability

A portable mortgage will allow you to transfer your borrowing from one property to another if you move, without paying arrangement fees.

Rebuild cost

For insurance purposes: the cost of rebuilding your home if it is destroyed.

Remortgage

When you change your mortgage without moving house. You can do this to save money, to change to a different type of mortgage or to release equity from your home

Repayment mortgage

You pay off the mortgage interest and part of the capital of your loan each month. Unless you miss any repayments, you are guaranteed to have paid off the mortgage by the end of the term.

Repayment vehicle

Required by lenders if you take out an interest-only mortgage, this is the means by which you’re intending to pay off your mortgage at the end of the term – for example, another property, or a stocks and shares portfolio.

Right to Buy scheme

Originally intended to enable tenants of council houses to buy the homes they lived in, this is now being opened up to housing association tenants too.

Service charge

The fee paid to a managing agent for the ongoing maintenance of a leasehold property.

Shared ownership

You buy a share of a property (usually between 25% and 75%) and pay rent on the remaining share, which is owned by the local housing association.

Stamp duty

Stamp duty land tax is payable when you buy a property for more than £125,000 (or £40,000 if it’s a buy-to-let property or second home).

Standard variable rate (SVR)

The default mortgage interest rate your lender will charge after your initial mortgage deal period ends. This could be higher or lower than your original rate.

Starter Homes Initiative

A government scheme which promises to build 200,000 new homes for first-time buyers aged under 40. Buyers will be given a minimum discount of 40%.

Sub-prime/non-conforming mortgage

A sub-prime, or non-conforming, mortgage is geared towards people who have had credit problems. It is now much harder to get a sub-prime mortgage than before the credit crunch.

Tie-in period

This is the period during which you are ‘locked in’ to your mortgage deal. You’ll have to pay an early repayment charge if you leave your mortgage during this period. Avoid mortgages that tie you in after your introductory rate has ended.

Tracker mortgage

The interest rate on your mortgage tracks the Bank of England base rate at a set margin above or below it.

Valuation survey

Lenders always carry out a valuation survey to check whether the property is worth roughly the amount you’re paying for it. You should always have your own survey done too, to check for structural problems.

Variable-rate mortgage

The interest rate on your mortgage can go up or down according to your lender’s standard variable rate.

Manchester Mortgages is a trading name of Mortgages 4U (North West ) Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA register number 301076). Registered in England & Wales No. 4729252. Registered office: 7 Randale Drive, Bury, BL9 8HZ.Your home or property may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.

Customer Reviews

I can not recommend Manchester Mortgages enough, from our very first mortgage to our remortgage everything was done so efficiently. No question was a stupid question for Andy he explained everything we needed and constantly kept us updated through out both processes. Literally helped us so much. Thank you again Ash & Jessread more

We dealt with Alan Dee at Manchester Mortgages and I am glad we chose to go with this mortgage broker. I wasn't expecting everything to happen so so fast, which it did. Alan processed everything quickly and efficiently, and he always kept us up to date in regards to what stage we were at with the mortgage process. I'm not thinking of getting a mortgage after this in the future, but if I was to, I would definitely be going back to Manchester Mortgages. Thank you very much for your brilliant service, Alan!read more

Cannot recommend Andrew Butterworth enough. He helped us every step of the way and answered all our questions no matter how silly we thought they were. Would not hesitate to recommend them to anyone. Thank you Andrew for everything.

Manchester Mortgages have been great we didnt think we would get a mortgage but Andrew helped us to achieve this. Andrew as been great all the way through the process and has even helped sort out our life insurance and building and contents insurance. Nothing is too much trouble for him. Would definitely recommend this company.read more

Alan has made the impossible possible for paul and I. We had contacted several mortgage brokers to no avail until Alan was recommended to us. We are so glad we asked for his expertise and services because we are due to complete on the house of our dreams in 4 weeks time with a mortgage offer for much more than we ever thought possible. Thank you so much Alan we will be recommending you to anyone and everyone. Paul and Jordanread more

I was recommended Alan Dee at Mortgages 4U by a friend. He was really quick every time I contacted him to answer. I took my time ot think about things and he wasn't at all pushy, just allowed everything to work in my time and was quick when I was ready to move forward. There was no hassle with getting it sorted - he pretty much sorted everything for me. I'd certainly recommend him to others. Thanks!read more

I dealt with Andrew from Manchester Mortgages. As a First time buyer, I didn't have a clue about mortgages. Andrew was extremely knowledgeable, speedy and efficient. Nothing was too much of an ask. He made the mortgage process an easy one! I now have a mortgage in place thanks to Andrew. I am so happy I decided to use Manchester Mortgages and I would recommend them to anyone!read more